Kagamijishi (lion dance)

Kagamijishi — the lion dance — is one of the most celebrated dance pieces in the Kabuki repertoire, in which a court lady becomes possessed by a lion spirit and transforms into a vigorous lion dancer. The piece is known for its elaborate wig-shaking sequences, where the performer whips his or her hair in powerful circles that create dramatic visual effects. Sadanobu III's depiction of the kagamijishi captures one of the most kinetically demanding of Kabuki dance subjects, requiring the printmaker to suggest dynamic motion within a static image.